Last week, in reviewing one of my “Orlando Business Journal” e-mails, I saw that the old Ocoee Holiday Inn will be razed for new development. Since the early 2000’s, Ocoee’s portfolio of hotels grew to include the Red Roof Inn and the Fairfield Inn & Suites (formerly the Courtyard Marriott) along Highway 50 so the need for this hotel has diminished. Plus, this hotel has’t be significantly remodeled in quite some time (thus it’s current hotel flag).
It’s nice to see progress/redevelopment, but I had my first W-2 job as a waitress and hostess at the Perkins Restaurant at this site. In the time since, I have been known to still stop by and say hello when in the area (especially when I have a buy 6 – get 6 muffins free coupon). All of my co-workers and customers were just so wonderful and many were still there when I last stopped in a few months ago.
I have many fond memories including when I graduated from high school and the owners were so sweet to recognize my two classmates/co-workers and me on the billboard.
Being on that Highway 50 sign was one of the biggest buzzes you would get before MySpace and Facebook. But, alas, I digress. You always hear stories about folks getting sentimental about the old being bulldozed for new. I have a new appreciation for that feeling as one of my old haunts will soon be dust.
Have you had a similar experience? Where is a place you used to frequent that is now gone?